Catholic United 3 Rayleigh Town 1

Essex Olympian League Premier Division, Saturday 31st October 2020 

Saturday saw me over at The Len Forge Centre for an Essex Olympian League Premier Division local derby between Catholic United and Rayleigh Town, and it saw a Brad Rowland double help the hosts to a dominant win and go third in the division.

Catholic had come into this one having ended a run of back to back defeats with a morale boosting win at bottom side Kelvedon Hatch last weekend, whilst Rayleigh had also netted a decent win against Sungate last time out, this after a disappointing loss at home to in form Hutton, so both were feeling confident ahead of this derby game.

The hosts knew they could end the day third with a win, whilst Rayleigh knew three points would see them climb further away from the relegation spots, they were only three points above the bottom two at kick off, so knew three points would certainly help and could also see them climb into mid table too.

It was the hosts though who flew out of the traps though and created some really good openings in the first ten minutes, and in the 13^th minute there early pressure finally told when a lovely cross from Rowland found Mike Sammut who sent a header into the bottom corner and Catholic had a deserved lead.

The hosts continued to dominate and create chances, but either poor finishing or Rayleigh keeper Josh Hudson, who made three brilliant stops in the first half, thwarted the home side from putting this game out of sight by half time, and although the visitors did see an effort well tipped round the post by Lewis Godwin-Green and another close range effort from Bailey Moss blocked by Max Kent, they were second best in this one.

But, despite all this the hosts only had a one goal lead to take into the half time break, and although they had dominated and were playing well, the one disappointment for them would have been not taking more of their chances, and they knew Rayleigh were still well in this contest whilst it was only 1-0.

Half Time Catholic United 1 Rayleigh Town 0

It was as you were in the second period early on too, with Catholic continuing to create chances and dominate proceedings, but again they found visiting keeper Hudson in top form as he continued to keep the hosts out, and you felt that maybe the home side would pay for all these missed chances if Rayleigh managed to have a good spell and possibly peg them back.

It didn’t happen though as ten minutes into the second period the hosts did double their lead finally when a lovely diagonal pass from Kent found the brilliant Rowland who drilled an effort across Hudson into the far corner, and finally the home side had some breathing space.

Both teams made a number of changes on the hour mark to freshen things up, Catholic probably to give some other players minutes whilst Rayleigh were trying to change things up to try and get back into a game they had barely been in it has to be said.

One of those Catholic changes saw Rhys Fatt enter the fray, and the pacey forward would turn assistant to their third goal twenty minutes into the second period as he squared for Rowland to side foot an effort beyond Hudson and into the net for his second and the hosts now had a three-goal cushion.

Catholic momentarily fell asleep after that third goal and saw the visitors pull one back two minutes later when a ball in from the left by Ben Baxter saw Moss finish from close range, and maybe provided the visitors a slim hope of an unlikely route back into the game, and for a few minutes the visitors did enjoy their best spell, albeit the hosts still looked fairly comfortable.

But in all honestly a comeback never really looked on the cards, and the hosts cruised to a dominant win against their local rivals.  Had it not been for Rayleigh keeper Hudson, who made several decent saves, this could have been embarrassing for the visitors.  He was probably their man of the match for sure.

The hosts man of the match in my view was Rowland, a superb cross for the opening goal and then two goals for himself thereafter certainly capped a fine performance up front, and playing up top with the very experienced Aaron Baldwin certainly will help the striker improve his game that is for sure.

Baldwin himself, who had chances but found Hudson in his way every time, also had a decent game, he really does lead the line well and is and always has been a hardworking player, although as I said to him afterwards he wouldn’t have scored if he had played until tomorrow, it was just one of those days!!!  But he put in a pretty good shift that was for sure!!!

A good three points for Catholic then, and they climb up to third in the standings, whilst for Rayleigh it’s a fourth defeat in six league games now and they remain fourth bottom and now just two points above the bottom two after Kelvedon Hatch won against Canning Town.  Still early days though.

Full Time Catholic United 3 Rayleigh Town 1

 

Ilford 0 Sawbridgeworth Town 0

Essex Senior League, Wednesday 28th October 2020 

Wednesday night saw me take the trip over to Cricklefield for the first time this season as Ilford hosted Sawbridgeworth Town in an Essex Senior League match up, and it saw both sides pick up a point in what was a pretty drab goalless draw on a chilly clear night in Seven Kings.

Both sides sat in the lower half of the table at kick off, the hosts had played eight games and had only two wins so far, whilst The Robins had played three more games than their opponents and sat one place above them in 13^th spot but had only three wins this term so far.

And the visitors had the worst defence in the division too, having conceded 37 goals so far this season, whilst the hosts were averaging two goals a game in their nine matches so far, and were similar in conceding too, so many felt their would be goals in this game, although as your about to find out, this wasn’t to be the case!!!

An early attack from the visitors saw hosts keeper Josh Blackburn parry away, whist down the other end an in swinging free kick from Dimi Christou appeared to flick off a defender and go just wide of the far post.

It was becoming apparent though that both sides were struggling to get a foothold in the game as both struggled to get the ball down and play, often mis controlling or overhitting passes, or passing to the opposition.

In the 25^th minute though something happened!!! Ilford came so close to breaking the deadlock when the ball fell to Yemi Adelani who hit a lovely effort which crashed back off the crossbar, it was the closest anyone would come to a goal in the contest.

Larry Akanbi saw an effort which was eventually held by the visitors keeper, and then four minutes before the break Adelani was sin binned by the referee after taking exception to being booked for a late barge on the keeper, so it meant The Foxes would have to play a few minutes either side of the break with ten men.

Sawbo had a couple of openings at the end of the half, firstly when a ball into the middle was well held by Blackburn, and then Kieran Amos could only fire a decent opening over the hosts bar, but if truth be told it had been a poor half of football and unsurprisingly it was goalless as the contest reached the half way stage.

Half Time Ilford 0 Sawbridgeworth Town 0

Everyone in attendance, including myself, were hoping that all the exciting action was to come in the second period, but it soon became apparent this wasn’t going to happen, as the second period pretty much went the same way the first half had gone.

Ilford almost got Agyemang through on goal early on In the half but he was unable to get to the ball after decent defending, before Christou tried to line up a strike at goal but it ended up rolling along the ground into the keepers arms.

Christou tried to send a spectacular volley at goal but only managed to fire it well over the visitors bar, and then Agyemang attempted to direct a header at Sawbo’s goal but it was another simple save for the keeper.

Sawbo tried to create something at the other end but Blackburn clamed the loose ball, but there was not to much in the way of goal mouth action as both sides were still struggling to get the ball under control or find one of their own players with a pass, their was pretty much zero quality in this contest it has to be said.

Ilford then had a great chance, there weren’t many at either end, but after Adelani had totally miskicked an effort, the ball fell to Christou who saw his effort brilliantly blocked by a desperate defender, and it remained goalless.

You felt that maybe an awful error or a piece of individual brilliance could win this game I(although to be honest the former was more likely!!!) and Blackburn almost gifted the visitors a goal when his clearance hit a visiting attacker but they were unable to capitalise and the ball ended up being deflected wide for a corner.

Then down the other end came the moment we all thought might be the one moment of brilliance as Ilford won a free kick in a great position, but Adelani’s free kick almost ended up in Ilford itself it was so far over the bar, and that kind of summed up the game to be fair.

The visitors then had a late chance to maybe find a winner, but they snatched at the effort and it was straight at keeper Blackburn, but at least it was a shot on target, which had been few and far between, and in stoppage time The Robins again got into a decent position but the effort was curled off target and the game ended goalless.

This was easily the worst game I have seen this season, and for sometimes it had to be said, but, trying to remain positive it was a point for both sides and for Ilford it was a second clean sheet in succession whilst for Sawbo that was their first clean sheet of the season, so they would at least be happy with that.

Those were probably the only positives to take though from a poor game all round, but I have been blessed with a lot of decent games recently, so I was due a drab 0-0 eventually!!!  Still we still have football to watch and we can still go out and watch it, so that is the biggest positive of all!!!

Full Time Ilford 0 Sawbridgeworth Town 0

Southend Manor 0 Takeley 7

Essex Senior League, Tuesday 27th October 2020 

Tuesday night saw me over at Southchurch Park as Southend Manor welcomed Takeley to the Essex Coast, and after a decent first half from Manor, they defensively fell apart second half as the visitors punished them to the full to take the points in a seven goal massacre.

Manor had come into this contest off the back of some very decent results, last Tuesday’s comeback win against Saffron Walden Town was very impressive and then to be the first side to take points off leaders Hashtag United at the weekend with a 1-1 draw, confidence was most certainly high.

Takeley themselves were having what was for them a very mixed season, but they warmed up for this contest with a good 5-0 win over St Margaretsbury at the weekend, so they were looking to build on that and try and get some consistency going, something they had struggled to do so far this term.

Manor knew a fifth win at home this season would send them into fourth spot, whilst Takeley knew a win for themselves could see them up to a season high sixth and above their opponents on goal difference, but early on it was the hosts who were the better side and they saw a free kick curled to the far post thump against the woodwork, and then they also saw a glancing header strike the other post.

The visitors did send a volley just wide of the far post as they began to come more into the contest and in the 27^th minute took the lead when a mad scramble inside the six yard box was eventually poked over the line by Michael La Ronde, and the visitors had the advantage.

Manor almost responded straight away but saw an effort tipped over, and then they blasted another decent opportunity over the bar as they continued to knock on the Takeley door but thus far could not knock it down.  And down the other end two poor defensive headers back towards the keeper almost resulted in a second goal for the visitors.

Manor though probably felt they had edged the opening forty five minutes and although they went into the break a goal behind, they knew they were still right in this contest and had come from behind already four times this term to win, so they knew they had it in them so to speak.

Half Time Southend Manor 0 Takeley 1

What was to happen in the next forty five minutes no one could have anticipated though…and it began with Takeley netting twice in the opening five minutes of the second half, firstly when Eliott Long cut inside and saw his deflected effort end up in the net, and then Lewis Deamer sent a lovely header into the far corner to make it 3-0.

The hosts were shell shocked and to be honest it was a blow they never recovered from, and on the hour mark Takeley made it four after Samson Adelaja stooped to send a lovely header into the net, and it was three goals in fifteen second half minutes for the visiting side.

Manor so nearly pulled one back soon after that when they forced a decent save from the keeper before the follow up effort was thumped against the upright, the third time Manor had struck the frame of the goal in this contest, but that was pretty much their only positive moment of the second period.

Takeley were just ripping Manor to shreds at the back by this stage, and with just over twenty minutes remaining made it five when they sliced through a poor backline and saw Long burst through to finish beyond the keeper, and you thought that this could get embarrassing for the hosts as they looked totally done defensively here.

Takleey continued to break through at will but a combination of last ditch defending or solid saves from the keeper prevented the visitors from extending their lead, that was until the final few minutes when they added a couple more goals to round off a superb second half.

They made it six when Glenn O’Hanlon slotted home, and then Ryan Lynch ran at the tired and shot defence to cut inside to beat his man before firing superbly beyond the keeper for number seven.

Takeley had been absolutely ruthless in the second period and had punished Manor’s defensive failings to the full, and this win takes them into the top six for the first time this term, whilst for Manor they drop below their opponents with a goal difference of minus fifteen, the fourth worst in the division.

When Manor lose, they lose big, that has been the mantra this season, their four defeats have seen a goal difference of minus twenty one, yet they have beaten teams like Walthamstow, Saffron Walden Town and held Hashtag United, and five wins from ten games is not a bad return for this side, but they still have much to learn, that is for sure. 

For Takeley, they had to really battle in the first half as Manor came at them at times, but the second half going forward was clinical and no doubt Marc Das would have been very happy with his trip to the seaside.  They are still someway behind the leaders but maybe they are now beginning to turn the corner so to speak.  Only time will tell but there finishing second half was superb…

Full Time Southend Manor 0 Takeley 7

 

Hashtag United 1 Hoddesdon Town 0

Essex Senior League, Monday 26th October 2020 

Monday night only means one thing, a trip to the Len Salmon to watch an Essex Senior League contest, and on this occasion, it was Hashtag United hosting Hoddesdon Town, and it saw a 94^th minute header from Ryan O’Rawe net the points for the hosts to send them eight clear at the top.

The Tags had dropped their first points at home this season at the weekend after being held to a 1-1 draw by a young talented Southend Manor side, but they remained five clear at the top after Cockfosters and Stansted also drew 1-1 at Hargrave Park.

The hosts last four games had all been tough and at times very close indeed, but they had still won three of them and showed they can battle through games when it might not always be going there way, a sure sign of champion, although this would also prove to be a tough contest for sure against a tough outfit in Hoddesdon Town.

The Lilywhites would go second with a win here and were looking to build on their 2-0 success at Sawbridgeworth Town at the weekend, a good bounce back after losing 4-0 at home to Saffron Walden Town the weekend before that, but they knew this would be a much tougher assignment here then at Crofters, so needed to bring their ‘A’ game that was for sure.

The Tags had netted on average two goals a game in their last four contests and were very solid defensively too having only let in two goals in that time, despite not being at their best, which says quite a lot!!! 

Hoddy themselves had also netted on average two goals per game in their last four, although their defensive record wasn’t quite as good as the hosts, letting in seven in those four games although four came in that one game against Walden, so maybe that was just a blip in recent times perhaps.

Hashtag were the leading scorers in the division unsurprisingly although the visitors were not far behind them so both sides could score goals, something that Hoddy had struggled with in recent seasons, although defensively this year they were not as good so maybe The Tags could take advantage of that???  We were about to find out…

Well initially it seemed like the hosts were up for making this an easier night as they began on the front foot and saw the dangerous Joshua Osude burst in down the right but see his effort well saved, and then Jesse Waller Lassen thumped a decent effort just wide of the post, all inside the opening fifteen minutes as the hosts were definitely the better side early on.

The Tags continued to create openings as the half went on but failed to find the net, although Hoddesdon had by now at least given their defence some rest at times by venturing forward themselves, firing one across goal and seeing two other long range effort rifled off target, and also fired another effort from outside the box go straight at Anthony Page.

The Tags though defo edged a tightish first period and most certainly had the better of the openings, but they and the visitors were locked together at 0-0 when the half time whistle went, meaning both would have plenty to discuss in the changing rooms at the break.

Half Time Hashtag United 0 Hoddesdon Town 0

So how would the second half pan out, it was certainly an intriguing question…and after Hoddy had sent another effort off target, Hashtag missed two good chances in the space of three minutes inside the first ten minutes of the half as there shooting boots continued to be left elsewhere.

Firstly Waller Lassen almost found the far corner but it was deflected just wide of the far stick, and then moments later a cut back found George Smith but the normally composed striker could only send his effort way over the bar, slamming into the roof of the stand behind that goal.

After this initial burst of attacking play from the hosts though the game settled into a tense and tight second period, and for a time it was Hoddesdon who looked like they could sneak in front, and they so nearly did with twenty minutes remaining after a glancing header towards the far corner was superbly clawed around the post by Page, as this game was right on a knife edge.

As the game got closer to the end though Hoddesdon began to try and hold onto what they had, and The Tags were trying their hardest to break through what had been a solid tough visiting back line, and with seven minutes left saw Albert Keith curl just wide after Kiernan Hughes Mason had laid it off to him, and when Ross Gleed curled a free kick beyond the far post, you felt it wasn’t going to be the hosts night and Hoddesdon had grabbed a very well earned point and see the home side drop more points at home.

But, this is Hashtag United, the team that seem to find a way to win, and in the 94^th minute a lovely ball curled into the six yard box saw O’Rawe get his head on the ball and divert beyond the keeper into the net and send them and the home fans wild, it had been another tough night for the hosts but they had found a way to grab the points once again, a sign of champions for sure that.

Tough on Hoddesdon this though who more than matched their opponents, especially second half, but they end up leaving empty handed after such a late late blow, but they can hold their heads up high after such a gritty and tough performance against the league leaders.

It does mean The Tags are now eight points clear at the top ahead of the remaining midweek games, whilst Hoddesdon remain in fifth spot.

Full Time Hashtag United 1 Hoddesdon Town 0

Essex Senior League Round Up (24th October 2020)

 

(Action from Hashtag United 1 Southend Manor 1 at The Len Salmon Stadium, thanks to Nik (@nikjeemah) for the photo)

 

Saturday October 24

Clapton 1 Enfield 5 (Enfield came from behind to thrash nine man Clapton at The Terence McMillan Stadium, it began well for the hosts when Petrit Elbi put them ahead after just two minutes, but The E’s took control thereafter and levelled througb Olly Miles before Lewis Francis grabbed his first goal for the club, a sublime strike from the edge of the box, to give the visitors the lead.  It was three when Bouchie netted, and it was 4-1 to Enfield at the break after Joe Thomas netted from the spot, this after a handball on the goal line resulted in a red card for the home side. Tons keeper Declan Maiorano was then dismissed before the break after a foul on Miles, leaving them down to nine men for the entire second period, and Miles netted his second of the day to make it five after a great team move ended with him tapping in.  Clapton remain second bottom after this latest loss and are still without a win this term, whilst The E’s second win of the campaign sees them up to 15^th)

 

Hashtag United 1 Southend Manor 1 (League leaders Hashtag United dropped points for only the second time this season after they were held at The Len Salmon Stadium by Southend Manor.  Luca Frankis gave the visitors an early lead but seven minutes after the break Tags levelled when Jesse Waller Lassen dinked a ball to the far post where birthday boy Albert Keith was on hand to poke home.  The Tags remain five points clear at the top despite dropping points, whilst Manor, who are still unbeaten against Hashtag in the ESL, are in sixth spot following this superb point against the leaders)

 

Ilford 3 Woodford Town 0 (The Foxes heaped more misery on Woodford Town as they were the latest side to inflict defeat on them after victory at Cricklefield.  Dimi Christou’s screamer just past the quarter hour mark gave the hosts the lead, and they doubled that lead midway through the first period after Yemi Adelani held off his marker before thumping home.  And the game ended with a third for the Foxes when Sylvester struck a ball from his own half which caught the wind and looped over the visitors keeper and into the net to cap a fine afternoon for the hosts.  Ilford’s second win of the season sees them up to 14^th, whilst the visitors remain bottom and are still without a point from nine league matches so far)

 

Saffron Walden Town 0 Walthamstow 1 (Dwade James netted a second half penalty as Stow grabbed a hard-fought win at Catons Lane against Saffron Walden Town.  The deciding moment came when a Toner free kick struck a hand in the defensive wall, much to the hosts disgust, and James stepped up to send his ‘panenka’ style penalty into the net to give the visitors the points.  Defeat for Walden, there second in less than a week, sees them down in eighth, whilst Stow rise to fourth after their sixth win in nine league games this term)

 

Sawbridgeworth Town 0 Hoddesdon Town 2 (It was back down to earth with a bump for The Robins and a good bounce back from Hoddy after the visitors netted victory at Crofters.  Harry Andic gave the visitors the lead on the half hour mark and they sealed the points three minutes from time when substitute Harrison Rookard netted, and it means The Robins are now down in 13^th spot after their sixth loss in eleven, and Hoddy climb to fifth after their fifth win this term)

Sporting Bengal United 1 West Essex 0 (A Rachid Qist penalty was enough for Sporting Bengal United to grab their third win in four games after victory over West Essex a Mile End.  The penalty came early on after a foul inside the box, and Qist stepped up to send the spot kick high into the net, and it proved enough for victory after the visitors saw a goal ruled out after a foul on the keeper, much to their dismay.  Sporting's fourth win of the campaign sees them up to 12th, whilst defeat for West, their fourth this season, sees them drop to tenth)

 

Stansted 1 Cockfosters 1 (It was honours even at Hargrave Park as Stansted and Cockfosters could not be separated in their contest, The Airportmen broke the deadlock twenty minutes into the second half after a Hammond delivery took a deflection off Coyne and ended up in the net, but the hosts lead lasted just three minutes as good work from Mullings saw him square for Clarke who tapped home and saw this one end in a draw.  Stansted remain in third and behind second placed Cockfosters on goal difference, the visitors have now not won in three after winning their first six, but will still be more than happy with second place)

 

Takeley 5 St Margaretsbury 0 (Eliott netted a hat-trick inside twenty minutes of this contest as Takeley thrashed St Mags at Station Road.  Eliott netted early on before adding two more on 17 and 19 minutes to give his side a perfect start, and the striker netted his and the hosts fourth before the break to see his side go into the changing rooms four goals to the good, and Ryan then added a fifth in the second period to cap a fine display, seeing them into the top half for the first time this season, whilst for St Mags they drop to third bottom after their fourth defeat in eight league games)

 

Here is the latest table:-

 

And here are your next round of fixtures:-

Monday October 26

Hashtag United v Hoddesdon Town

Sporting Bengal United v Woodford Town

 

Tuesday October 27

Clapton v Walthamstow

Redbridge v Cockfosters

Southend Manor v Takeley

St Margaretsbury v Hadley

Stansted v West Essex

 

Wednesday October 28

Enfield v Saffron Walden Town

Ilford v Sawbridgeworth Town

Wakebury 2 ACD United 3

Essex Olympian League Division Three, Saturday 24th October 2020 

Shoebury Park was my venue for Saturday as I went to take in a big top of the table clash between Wakebury and ACD United, and it saw league top scorer Michael Wade net a hat-trick as the visitors picked up a well-earned three points in tough conditions on the Essex Coast.

Wakebury had played four league games so far and had won three of them and were unbeaten, whilst ACD United and played a game less but had won all three of their games netting twenty goals in the process, including a 9-1 win over Collier Row last time out.

The hosts themselves had netted sixteen goals in their four games so were no slouches in front of goal, and with both only conceding one goal per game in the division too, this certainly was a battle of the titans in this division!!!

So what about the cups, well Wakebury did cause a big shock in Round One of the Senior League Cup, knocking Division One Chingford Athletic out on penalties before falling to Division Two side Beacon Hill Rovers, whilst ACD United stunned Division One side Shoebury Town before so nearly knocking out Premier side Sungate but lost on penalties after a goalless draw.

So both teams were certainly doing well against sides higher up the pyramid so this contest sure had the potential to be a humdinger as they say, but would it live up to expectations, or would the hype all be for nothing and we get a scrappy affair and no excitement?

I took my place in the press box (which was a bench in the middle of Shoebury Park but more than adequate!!!) and one funny story was a young chap came and sat next to me for a few minutes prior to the game and his dog named ‘Bella’ tried to steal my lunch (and chicken and bacon sandwich), you wouldn’t get that in the Premier League now would you!!! All quite funny and we all had a laugh about it.

Anyway, I was there for the football and the gusty winds blowing across the park were certainly not helping in terms of the quality of the game, both sides struggled with it early on, and midway through the period was a factor in the visitors taking the lead, as a ball forward was misjudged by the full back, and allowed Wade to get in and get to the ball before keeper Nicky Keys and have the simple job of slotting into the empty net.

Nine minutes before the break though Wakebury levelled, and it was as route one as you could get, as a long clearance from keeper Keys dropped into the opposing box and right onto the foot of Billy Bonham-Dare who diverted the ball superbly past the onrushing keeper and into the net, it was a really well controlled finish and the hosts were back on terms.

They did not manage to get to the break all square though as more sloppy defending allowed Wade to get in down the right hand side of the box, and he duly sent a decent finish across Keys and into the far corner, and it meant the visitors would go into the half time break ahead.  It had been a battle out there in conditions that had not helped either side in what had been a rather scrappy encounter for the majority.

Half Time Wakebury 1 ACD United 2

The second half was very much the same as the first, a scrappy battle in terrible conditions expect now we had driving horizontal rain added to the mix too, lovely stuff!!!

Crosses swung into the hosts area were causing the Berries issues, and one such cross saw a close range header thumped against the bar as the visitors so nearly opened up a two-goal cushion, but Wakebury then saw a superb long range effort crash off the bar themselves, although the assistant had flagged for a throw to ACD prior to this and the referee chose to ignore him, so that would have been interesting had the hosts found the net!!!

Both teams continued to battle the elements and there were plenty of meaty challenges going in too, as both teams did not want to give the other any space or advantage in this top of the table clash, and at times the wind and driving rain did not at all proceedings but it was the same for both, with many passes catching the wind and either sailing out of play or not finding their targets.

Wakebury then saw a close range effort somehow kept out before a follow up was blocked, some thought it had crossed the line but it wasn’t given although it happened so quickly it was hard to tell, and the visitors sent a ball across the hosts six yard box but was just about cleared.

With ten minutes left though ACD grabbed a crucial third goal to open up a two goal cushion, when a ball across the six yard box was converted by Wade who completed his treble in the process, and the way the celebrated told you they thought this goal could well be the clincher in this tight tight battle.

The Berries though did not give up and rolled their sleeves up for one final assault on their opponents goal, and with three minutes of the ninety to go won a spot kick and saw skipper Chris Gore step up and send the ball into the net, and the hosts had around seven minutes left to find a leveller.

ACD did come under a lot of pressure in the final few minutes and tempers flared up after one ball into the box saw a visiting player take offence to a challenge, but it soon all calmed down, it really was a battle out there!!!

After a few minutes of added on time though the referee blew for full time and ACD had their win and continued their 100% start to the league campaign, and saw them go two clear at the top and leapfrog their opponents who are now second on goal difference after their first loss in the league this term.

Wade remains top scorer in Division Three this term as well, netting eleven league goals in just four games, so that is no bad is it!!! He also became the first player to net 100 goals for ACD United, a feat achieved in just over eighty games!!!  Fantastic stuff at any level that!!!

You could see why he scores goals after taking his chances well today after some sloppy defending by the home side.  Not the classic we were expecting mainly due to the weather, but enjoyable nonetheless, as ACD take the honours in this one.

Full Time Wakebury 2 ACD United 3

Southend Manor 2 Saffron Walden Town 1

Essex Senior League, Tuesday 20th October 2020 

Tuesday night saw me back over Southchurch Park for an Essex Senior League contest between Southend Manor and Saffron Walden Town, and it saw the hosts come from behind and net a 100^th minute penalty to take a dramatic win.

Manor came into this one very fresh after there last two games were called off (one for the weather and the other for Covid-19) so no doubt they would have been chomping at the bit to go into battle and try and net a fourth win in five on their own patch.

Walden have had for their standards of the last few seasons a rather mixed and indifferent start, but their 4-0 success at Hoddesdon Town on Saturday would have certainly given them huge confidence coming into this one, a trip to the Essex coast for a battle against a young and hungry hosts.

Manor knew a win here could see them go above their opponents and leap up four places to sixth, whilst despite the visitors indifferent start three points for The Bloods could see them go level on points with third placed Stansted but go above them on goal difference, so making their slow start become not a bad one you could say.

The opening half saw Walden edge what was a fairly scrappy encounter, and they certainly had the majority of the openings, and only three decent stops from Manor keeper Alfie Marigliani, on loan from Barnet as the 17 year old is a scholar there, kept the hosts in the contest.

Manor themselves did have two decent chances in the first period but Walden were largely in the ascendancy and a minute before the break The Bloods took the lead when a lovely ball from Ollie Fortune through to Dimitri Hatzimouratis saw the latter slot past Marigliani and it sent Walden into the break one goal to the good and with a deserved lead.

Half Time Southend Manor 0 Saffron Walden Town 1

So would Walden kick on and add to their lead or would the young Manor side fight back and make this a decent contest? Well, the hosts were definitely the better side in the second period but could not find that net as they pushed their opponents onto the back foot for a lot of the half.

Now I am not one to talk about officials and the like, but it is hard for me not to on this occasion as sadly the referee was becoming the biggest talking point of the game, and some of the decisions he made were baffling to say the least, and also there were nine bookings and also both managers saw yellows in a game that wasn’t particularly dirty at all.

This referee’s evening was summed up in a moment of madness in the second half when after Joe Pullen had committed a foul, the referee showed him a yellow card, and then had to consult his assistant on the far side as to whether he had already been booked.

They looked at their book and saw that Pullen was down as being booked early on in the game, so showed him a second yellow and a red card, but this wasn’t correct either and after a minute or two of chaos as Walden strongly protested this decision, it was actually Fortune, the number nine, who had been booked earlier in the game for clattering Manor keeper Marigliani.

It was a farcical moment in the game and kind of summed up his evening in a nutshell, yes I know it is a tough job and without them we would not have a game but the referee certainly played a large part in how some of this game panned out, and both sets of players were getting frustrated with him understandably, but especially Walden, who were certainly being outplayed this half by a resurgent hosts.

Anyway Walden were still leading as the game entered the 88^th minute, that was until a corner swung over to the back post and saw substitute Harry Rodgers rise to power home a close range header, and with twelve minutes of stoppage time to come, courtesy of the referee stopping and starting the contest throughout the second period, Manor felt they could possibly go on and win it.

And there was one final sting in this contest as another corner knocked into the visitor’s area saw the referee blow his whistle and point to the spot, and Walden could not believe it!!!  It was given for a push or grab at the near post apparently and it gave Manor the chance to grab the lead ten minutes into added on time.

And Ben Allen kept his nerve to see his penalty squeeze in off the post after keeper James Bransgrove had got a hand to it to push it onto the post, and it handed Manor the points and another fantastic comeback win yet again to make it four wins from their five home games so far at what is becoming ‘fortress Southchurch’.

Walden were beside themselves with anger and rage towards the referee, and you could understand their frustrations, but the abuse he received as he walked down the tunnel from the other side of the cage was not on in my view and rather disappointing to say the least.  Yes, he had a terrible game, but he does not deserve to receive that kind of abuse.

Anyway, after all of that it’s Manor who climb up four places to sixth and above Walden who drop a place to seventh.  Manor’s next task is league leaders Hashtag United away on Saturday so another good test for the young hungry side, whilst Walden host Walthamstow in another big game at Catons Lane.  Be interesting to see how they bounce back from this huge disappointment this evening that’s for sure.

Full Time Southend Manor 2 Saffron Walden Town 1